EPA ANNOUNCES NEW CLEAN-AIR RULES
News Date July 13, 2010
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new proposed regulations, collectively referred to as the “Air Transport Rule.” These regulations are intended to help 31 states and the District of Colombia meet air quality standards by targeting power-plant emissions that drift across state lines. The proposed rule replaces the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule that the EPA was ordered to revise in 2008. Despite an estimated $2.8 billion cost, EPA estimates a $120 billion yield in annual health benefits such as prevention of health problems and premature deaths due to heart and respiratory problems related to air pollution.
EPA will take comments for 60 days after the proposed regulation is published in the Federal Register, likely within the next few weeks. A fact sheet about the proposed rules is available through the EPA website. (By: Jason Markovich, Contact: Nathan Bowen)